High round count range sessions

[leadhoarder]

Today I shot a high round count range session with my TC today. At least it is what I consider a high round count session. I realize that some folks might not think so. In the past I would always just shoot 15-25 rounds. Today I shot 75-85 shots. I wiped the bore with ballistol and water about every 15 rounds or so. but a few times I ended up wiping at probably a 10 round interval if loading was getting harder.

I did get a few misfires where a second blow from the hammer set them off fine. I tried to seat the nipple with a dowel but it still happened a few times.

When shooting higher volumes can the fowling on the nippple cause this? Do I need to clean the hammer face or nipple more often. My first thought was that I was not getting the cap on the nipple all the way because of grime on the nipple. I did not have a brush with me. I think I am going to put a toothbrush in my range box now.

What other tactics need to be used to keep a muzzloader running?

 

[jdw276]

Today I shot a high round count range session with my TC today. At least it is what I consider a high round count session. I realize that some folks might not think so. In the past I would always just shoot 15-25 rounds. Today I shot 75-85 shots. I wiped the bore with ballistol and water about every 15 rounds or so. but a few times I ended up wiping at probably a 10 round interval if loading was getting harder.

I did get a few misfires where a second blow from the hammer set them off fine. I tried to seat the nipple with a dowel but it still happened a few times.

When shooting higher volumes can the fowling on the nippple cause this? Do I need to clean the hammer face or nipple more often. My first thought was that I was not getting the cap on the nipple all the way because of grime on the nipple. I did not have a brush with me. I think I am going to put a toothbrush in my range box now.

What other tactics need to be used to keep a muzzloader running?

I would say yes. When i wipe the bore as you are doing i try and remember to flip the dirty patch over in my hand and then with fingers wipe the nipple by just gripping the patch and nipple. Nothing fancy, nothing like scrubbing. Just a simple circular wipe or couple of em with my fingers around the nipple. I have even wet my fingers and done it without a patch if was having trouble there. I have done volume fire with scouts. As many as 140 in a day. That is a step to keep em shooting for me.

 

[russellshaffer]

75 shots in one session??? I certainly think that counts as a high round count for a muzzleloader.

 

[Bob McBride]

I remember the last time I shot close to that number of shots. I think it was 60 or so. I was head to toe covered in fouling and grease. I think I may have even pulled a hammy. Good times....

 

[leadhoarder]

I was actually kind of sore when I got home and started to clean the rifle. And I am fairly sure I am much younger than the vast majority that post on here.

 

[Grenadier1758]

You will also benefit from cleaning the hammer face from time to time. Spent caps and fouling may accumulate in there and that can soften the blow on the cap.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

When I shoot thirty rounds out of my flintlocks, I have "rammed" ninety to ninety five times. (Load, damp patch, dry patch, load) Having had shoulder surgery (rotator cuff) and then forearm surgery (tumor removal, then skin graft) I am pretty near plum tuckered out after that range visit. Last time I did "high volume" shooting was a three day flintlock match firing 100+ rounds. That's about 300 times up and down the ramrod thimbles. I was exhausted. Next time I will hire "staff" to clean and load.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[user 49399]

I keep a piece of pipe cleaner in my bag to clean out the nipple every so often when shooting a lot. I wipe outside of the nipple with a rag or shirt tail. It keeps the gun firing for a whole session which is about thirty or forty for me if weather is nice. A couple weeks ago I went shooting when snow was on the ground and about 24 degrees. I managed I whopping ten shots that day.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

What's a nipple?

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Bob McBride]

What's a nipple?

ADK Bigfoot

There's no way to answer that that won't shock and confuse you....

 

[wb78963]

I keep a piece of pipe cleaner in my bag to clean out the nipple every so often when shooting a lot. I wipe outside of the nipple with a rag or shirt tail. It keeps the gun firing for a whole session which is about thirty or forty for me if weather is nice. A couple weeks ago I went shooting when snow was on the ground and about 24 degrees. I managed I whopping ten shots that day.

very interesting this may account for problems with my Sharps RWS musket caps needing second strikes to fire I run a damp patch about every about every 5 or 6 shots easy to do from the breech. Now the nipple will get the same.
Yr' Obt' Svt'
Bunk

 

[user 49399]

ADK Bigfoot,

Sorry if I confused you sir. I've been known to shoot a few cap guns (you know, the ones from St. Louis or Kentucky) as well as flintlocks. I also use the period/historically incorrect pipe cleaner to clean the touch hole on my flintlock too sometimes. I have a bunch of period correct tools for this but the little piece of pipe cleaner is just real handy to drop in a shirt pocket.

 

[.36Rooster]

Yes you do eventually need to clean the outside of your nipple. I don't know why. But I do know its particularly bad on revolvers. I've never had to clean my rifle nipple while at range. But on my revolvers it seems like I need to every 2-3 cylinders. I don't know why. But I do know it is from external fouling, and I'm pretty sure that's where your problem was too.

 

[wb78963]

Yes you do eventually need to clean the outside of your nipple. I don't know why. But I do know its particularly bad on revolvers. I've never had to clean my rifle nipple while at range. But on my revolvers it seems like I need to every 2-3 cylinders. I don't know why. But I do know it is from external fouling, and I'm pretty sure that's where your problem was too.

that is odd, because I will shoot at least 20 or 30 shots when shooting and never have had problems like that.
My revolvers are equipped with Slixshot nipples using Remington #10 caps, 15 grains FFFg (usually GOEX) a lubed felt wad and a .451" hand cast ball.
My revolvers get used a lot and all the .44 Colts are set up the same way. The .36 Navy revolvers are set up the same way using the same loading but a smaller ball.
Puzzled
Bunk

 

[.36Rooster]

that is odd, because I will shoot at least 20 or 30 shots when shooting and never have had problems like that.
My revolvers are equipped with Slixshot nipples using Remington #10 caps, 15 grains FFFg (usually GOEX) a lubed felt wad and a .451" hand cast ball.
My revolvers get used a lot and all the .44 Colts are set up the same way. The .36 Navy revolvers are set up the same way using the same loading but a smaller ball.
Puzzled
Bunk

Key word there is slixshot.

 

[Col. Batguano]

How many hours did it take you to shoot that many shots?

 

[leadhoarder]

I think I was at the range between 3-4 hours. I was shooting at a pretty good pace but I did take a few breaks when the range went cold a few times. There were not many folks there so the range was hot nearly the whole time.

 

[mushka]

For me a high round count would be anything approaching 16 0r 18. My fingers and hands get to hurting much after that much shooting mz rifles.

 

[PoBoyChuck]

Nice session. My highest count was 65. I'm 37 and that about did me in. Lol